BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Trailing 12-6 entering the bottom of the 6th inning, things looked dire for the #2 Northampton baseball team, but the Spartans outscored Salem 10-0 over the final 3 innings to win the third, and deciding, game of their best of three series 16-12, and advance to the Region 19 Final Four.

Despite being outhit 19-10 by the Mighty Oaks, the Spartans were able to use 13 walks and 7 Salem errors to fight back from the 6-run deficit to earn the must-win victory. 

Brandon Ratti (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) took the mound in the 6th inning, trailing 12-6, and held the Mighty Oaks scoreless over the final 3.2 innings, scattering 3 hits and striking out 6, to improve to 6-0 on the season. 

Northampton scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th, 2 in the 7th and 3 in the 8th, led by Gabriel Caso (Califon, NJ/West Morris (NJ)) who finished 4 for 5 with 6 RBI.  Robert Furino (East Stroudsburg, PA/Pocono Mt. East) added 2 hits, including a double, and had 4 runs scored, 2 walks and a RBI, while Luis Beato (Bethlehem, PA/Muhlenberg) had a double, 2 walks and 2 RBI. 

The victory moves Northampton to 45-8 on the year and advances them to their 11th Region 19 Final Four under Head Coach Adrian Yaguez.  The 2nd seeded Spartans will face #3 Brookdale on Friday May 17th at RCSJ-Cumberland (Vineland, NJ) at 11:00am. 

Brookdale advanced to the Final Four by sweeping #6 Ocean County College on Saturday. 

Final Four 
1. RCSJ-Gloucester (bye)
2. Northampton (defeated #7 Salem 2 games to 1)
3. Brookdale (defeated #6 Ocean 2 games to none)
4. Middlesex (defeated #5 RCSJ-Cumberland 2 games to none)

Match-ups Friday May 17th 
Game One - #1 RCSJ-Gloucester vs. #4 Middlesex
Game Two - #2 Northampton vs. #3 Brookdale 
Game Three - Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two
Game Four - Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two 

Match-ups Saturday May 18th 
Game Five - Winner Game Three vs. Loser Game Four 
Game Six - Winner of Game Five vs. Winner of Game Four

Match-up Sunday May 19th 
Game Seven - If Necessary - (Winner of Game Four must lose twice)

Salem finishes the season 27-25 overall.